A freckle is a tiny, highly-pigmented patch of skin, often round or oval in shape. Freckles occur on sun-exposed areas of skin and tend to become more numerous as a result of continued exposure. The tendency to freckling is inherited and occurs most often in fair- and red-haired people.

Freckles are harmless, but people with highly freckled complexions should avoid excess sunlight and should use sunscreens.